In an Oct. 16 letter to the four district judges, Aaron wrote, “Under Rule of Criminal Procedure 454 (C), at hearings regarding summary offenses the attorney for the commonwealth may ‘appear and assume charge of the prosecution.’ I hereby assert the commonwealth’s right to appear under Rule 454 regarding all summary cases filed by the Game Commission within Clarion County for which a ‘not guilty plea’ is entered.”

“If this offer is made as a good-faith gesture, we welcome the Clarion County district attorney to the effort to protect and preserve Pennsylvania ’s wildlife and hunting and trapping heritage,” said Jerry Feaser, Pennsylvania Game Commission press secretary. “There have been many cases in the past in which we could have benefited from his legal expertise in fulfilling our mission to prosecute those who violate the Game and Wildlife Code and the game commission regulations.”

Aaron told the Clarion News, “It’s obvious the game commission’s relationship with the citizens of Clarion County and the county judicial system has been strained in recent years.

“I’m not attempting to place any blame on any one individual, but as the commonwealth’s attorney, I am trying to restore confidence in the judicial system.

“There must be fairness in all game commission cases, of course, but there also must be a perception of fairness as well.”

Aaron said if people charged with a game law violation decide to plead not guilty to the charge and request a hearing, the case will be reviewed and prosecuted by the district attorney’s office.

“It’s important for the hunters and citizens of Clarion County to know they will be treated fairly,” said Aaron.

Aaron asked the four district judges – Duane Quinn in Clarion; Nancy Kadunce in Paint Township; Amy Long in Knox; and Jeff Miller in New Bethlehem – to allot a set date each month for game law hearings.